Richie Barker - CRAWLEY Manager

[Ninja Elephant]

Michael Mahoney-Johnson,

I don't know if you remember, but he ended up playing left back for us a few times! I was going back through some Gillingham programmes last week (better than the Chelsea programme btw...) and it reminded me of the laughter of my step-dad the first time he was shunted to left back. "The boy is so shit they're not even bothering with him up front anymore!". Legend, for that alone.

 

[pork pie]

Not sure I'd agree that he was quality. Certainly gave 100 percent and I thought he was ok but he was definitely not popular with the majority of the 3k odd fans who went to Gillingham so I am curious as to why he has this legendary aura. Has the fact that he tried hard in an era when we were shit clouded people's memories.

Not popular? Where did that come from? I, and those I went with always liked him. Overweight when he joined, but fit by the time he left. He was my, now early twenties years old, son's first Albion hero so he has a special place im my Albion memories. looks like they have the Bear essentials to stay up!

 

[Icy Gull]

Absolute rubbish. I don't recall him getting ANY grief from us at Pissfield.

Did you actually go very often? He got a heap of abuse before he finally hit the net. I KNOW that this is a fact because I found it really embarrassing as he was obviously trying.


There is some re writing of history in this thread. I accept the crowd took to him in the end but it was certainly not from when he arrived and he wasn't here that long was he?

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

Now, the samne CANNOT be said for Jeff Minton (also in the pic) who was total crap at the time

When he was bothered he was a quality player!

At that level mind.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

Spot on. I too remember it well, an absolutely text book header on Boxing Day and it moved us up to 7th or something, which was unheard of at that time.

It was a beautiful moment. "Text book" is correct.


In the pub before the game a couple of Sussex's finest walked through in a cheerful manner. This Albion lad (Das would likely as not know him) - looked him in the eye from about two feet and started singing at the top of his voice ....... "Old McDonald had a farm - E-I-E-I-O and on that farm he had a PIG" - at which the whole pub joined it. The Sussex copper took it in good spirits - but it was funny.

My lad joined in but was not sure why we were singing a nursery rhyme.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

Did you actually go very often? He got a heap of abuse before he finally hit the net. I KNOW that this is a fact because I found it really embarrassing as he was obviously trying.


There is some re writing of history in this thread. I accept the crowd took to him in the end but it was certainly not from when he arrived and he wasn't here that long was he?

Icy - I think it was just you ...........

 

[Barrel of Fun]

There's only one Jeffrey Minton,
And he smokes marijuana.
Walking along,
Smoking his bong,
Walking in a Minton Wonderland.

Didn't Minton instigate a fight in a chippy one fine evening before a match? He was one of my favourite players in those days.

 

[Jim in the West]

Richie did his bit for Falmer back in the day.


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Remember those days like they were yesterday - Richie was a great guy....fairly limited, but gave the proverbial 110%. After he left us I remember one away match up north he came to watch us and stood on the terraces with the BHA fans (DKM - can you remember which game?)

Incidentally, that photo should have my elder daughter in it - she's the owner of the arm you can just see on the left!!

 

[Skaville]

There's only one Jeffrey Minton,
And he smokes marijuana.
Walking along,
Smoking his bong,
Walking in a Minton Wonderland.

Didn't Minton instigate a fight in a chippy one fine evening before a match? He was one of my favourite players in those days.

Was this song ever sung? If anything I thought it was Peter Smith's song

I too am in the Richie fan club. It was great to have a young talented player giving his all at a time when our squad had plenty of rubbish journeymen like Mickey Bennett, Mark Walton and Glenn Thomas who clearly couldn't give a toss.

 

[Skaville]

PS - where did the bear nickname come from. I seem to remember him posing in a bear suit but did the nickname come first?

 

[Barrel of Fun]

Was this song ever sung? If anything I thought it was Peter Smith's song

I thought it was, but may well be my mind playing tricks on me.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

Remember those days like they were yesterday - Richie was a great guy....fairly limited, but gave the proverbial 110%. After he left us I remember one away match up north he came to watch us and stood on the terraces with the BHA fans (DKM - can you remember which game?)

Incidentally, that photo should have my elder daughter in it - she's the owner of the arm you can just see on the left!!

It is a tricky business posting photos of young ones on the web .......... your daughter was on one side, and nephew on the other.

It was Mansfield away - near a clients so I could combine the away trip with business. Was that the one Rod Thomas got sent off after about 5 minutes ?

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

I thought it was, but may well be my mind playing tricks on me.

In the same session in the pub at Posh it was sung for Minton.

 

[big nuts]

PS - where did the bear nickname come from. I seem to remember him posing in a bear suit but did the nickname come first?

I know the nickname came before the bear photo, because I was part of a group that started the Richie the Bear chant for the first time away at Scarborough I think on a bank holiday. Seem to recall a goal from Gary Hart securing 3 points after he neatly rounded the keeper that day. Ian Culverhouse also played a blinder at the back.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I have always had a soft spot for Barker. He was not overly gifted but he was a trier. I also saw him in a restaurant the evening of the game when he goaded an opponent with a donkey ears gesture. He came over after his meal and chatted to me, my lady and some others for some time and came across as a really nice guy.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

away at Scarborough

Respect.